By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk
It’s advantage Gary Hall Junior after the fields were released for the first round of the World Driving Championship at Kaikoura on Sunday.
The Australian will drive last start winner Hoof It Hagrid in the opening heat, then the in-form Midnight Diamond and Spirit Downunder in the day’s third and final heat.
New Zealand’s rep Blair Orange, who was a $4 favourite on the TAB to win the WDC, will drive Steelintheheel in the first heat, followed by Aldebaran Crystal and Ohoka Cobra.
In assessing the opening three heats Trackside presenter and form analyst Greg O’Connor is adamant the likeable Western Australian has fared the best.
“Gary Hall has got off to a flier,” says O’Connor.
“Look at a horse like Midnight Diamond. He’s flying at the moment though he does have a tricky draw behind Holly Highlander.”
Midnight Diamond has won her last three starts for trainer Ross Houghton and has drawn one the second row over the 1900 metres.
As for Blair Orange familiarity with the horses and the courses is his big advantage.
“Ohoka Cobra looks to be the pick of his drives,” says O’Connor.
“He has driven the horse before and had success with him before.”
That was at Addington in June.
The Regan Todd-trained Aldebaran Crystal is another he knows well.
“She does have ability and could be a factor at her best but needs to improve,” says O’Connor.
The 10 drivers will assemble in Christchurch this week before heading to Kaikoura over the weekend.
The 10 drivers are : (in alphabetical order)
They are : Brett Beckwith (USA), Mats Djuse (Sweden), Gary Hall Junior (Australia), James MacDonald (Canada), Giampaolo Minnucci (Italy), Michael Nimczyk (Germany), Blair Orange (NZ), Santtu Raitala(Finland), Jaap Van Rijn (The Netherlands) and Pierre Vercruysee (France).
There will be 20 heats over 9 days (Nov 2-11) at four venues
Kaikoura November 2 and 3
Cambridge November 5
Addington November 7
Winton November 9
Addington (NZ Cup day) November 11
For more information go to wdc25.nz
To see Sunday’s fields at Kaikoura click here
